Weekly Update and Bulletin From Fr. Robert Miclean – November 17, 2019

Thoughts on Today’s Gospel

“…God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  How do we become ‘rich’ toward God?  Christ God is meant to be everything to us: He is the Creator of all life and in Him “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).  In Him is the present and future of us all, or, without Him, what is the future?  The rich man in today’s parable is focused only on himself.  He hordes up treasure for himself thinking that this buys him security.  How often do we see in our culture today those who put all their treasure into their material well-being, glorifying their temporal bodies, only to neglect their immortal souls?  Christ God calls such people, “fools,” not because He does not love them, but because they’re ignorant of their spiritual needs, the transitory nature of this temporal life; they put their trust in what will one day become nothing more than dust.  The Nativity Fast we’ve now begun is an opportunity through increased prayer, fasting, and giving, to put Christ and His Church first in our priorities.  In order to be generous toward God we learn to love Him and His Church more.  We offer ourselves to Him and His service and that of each other.  May we be rich toward God this Advent, that in our generosity toward God, we may build up much treasure in heaven.  The Lord bless you! Fr. Robert+

TIME, TALENT, TREASURE: First Fruits Pledge 2020.  

As Christians we know that everything is ultimately a gift from God.  Throughout time, the people of God have given back to God a tenth, that is, a Tithe, of all that they had.  In the early Church, some even felt called to give away all that they had to build up the Church and glorify God.  While as Christians we recognize that everything belongs to God, the tithe (or some percentage) is an important means to open our hearts to God, to learn to love God more, to take a step forward in faith and trust in God to His glory.  Please offer your “Time, Talent, Treasure” pledge form today, knowing that God will give you so much more in return “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Cor. 9:6)

THIS WEEK at HOLY ARCHANGELS:All Services held at our new church home at 73 Franklin St. (CLT Building), historic Annapolis

  • TODAY 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
  • Tues., Nov. 19,4:30-5:30 p.m., St. John’s OCF Patristics Study, Cohen study room, library (all are welcome)
  • Wed., Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m., Vesperal Divine LiturgyGreat Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple
  • Sat., Nov. 23, 6 pm Great Vespers (Confession offered)
  • Sun., Nov. 24, 9:30 a.m., Hours, 10, Divine LiturgyTrapeza

Looking Ahead: Mark your Calendars!

  • Thur., Dec. 5, Starting at 5 pm,St. Nicholas Eve-Akathist, 5:30 pm,Open House, 6:30 -7:30 pm,colinde (caroling)
  • Tues., Dec. 24, 10 p.m., Vigil &Divine Liturgy, Nativity of our Lord, God, Savior Jesus Christ(“Winter Pascha”). Please bring a quiche to share!

Confession & Reception:In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it’s the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthlyconfession.  If a month has passed and you’ve not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert to ask a blessing to receive prior to the serviceand before approaching the Chalice.

TRAPEZA:The lunch and fellowship served after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s family life together.  We cannot draw closer to God if we’re not also drawing closer to each other.  To grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship is important.  Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry!

Prayer Requests: Our Mission’s Growth “in spirit & in numbers”  

  • For God’s financial provisionfor our Mission & college ministry, ACM (Annapolis Pan-Orthodox College Ministry);
  • Departed founders: Archpriest George the Confessor, Gabriel, Rafael, Serafim, Basil, Rdr. Michael, newly departed Kh. Anastasia, Richard (grandfather of Doug Burnett) 
  • Met. Isaiah of Georgia, Archbishops Yohanna Ibrahim, Boulos Yazigi of Syria, Sbn. John, Benedict, Benjamin, Daniel, Noah, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Vivian, Beatrice, George, Helen, Helen, Sydney, Young, Valerie, Anastasia, Valentina, Linda, Susan, Michael, Elizabeth, Noah, Tommy, Thomas, Mat. Alexandra, Judith, Maggie, Frank, Karley, Christina, Mark, Eric, Erin, Joseph, James, Julie, Elaine, Steven, the Church in Georgia, Romania as they battle the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, peace in Syria. 

Troparion              (Resurrection)            Tone 5            

Let us, the faithful, praise and worship the Word, // co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, // bornfor our salvation from the Virgin; // for He willedto be lifted up on the Crossin the flesh,

to enduredeath, //and to raisethe dead//

by His glorious Resurrection. 

Troparion    (Hierarch Gregory the Wonderworker)            Tone 8  

Thou didst become worthy of thy name* through thy wayof life;

through thy vigilance in prayerand thy constant works of mercy.

Therefore, O Father Gregory, beseech ChristGod to enlighten our minds, // that we may not sleepin sin, which leadsto death!

Troparion                (Angels) Tone 4            

O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseechyou: // by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory, // and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cryto you://Deliver us from all harm, for you are the Commanders of the Powers on high!

Kontakion              (Resurrection)            Tone 5                        

Thoudidst descend into hell, O my Savior, // shattering its gates as Almighty, //resurrecting the dead as Creator,//and destroying the stingof death. // Thou hast delivered Adam from the curse, O Lover of man,// and we cry to Thee: O Lord,saveus!

Kontakion    (Hierarch Gregory the Wonderworker)            Tone 2  

Thou didst receivethe power to perform miracles,

frightening the devils and healing the sick through thy wonderworking. // O All-wiseFather Gregory, //

thy deeds truly entitle thee to be calledWonderworker.

Kontakion               (Angels) Tone 2            

Commanders of God’s armiesand ministers of the divine glory//princes of the bodiless Angelsand guidesof mankind// askfor what is good for us, and for great mercy,//O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.

Glory to God for All Things!